City Newspaper Archives - 2/2007
TV: "The Amazing Race" goes all-star
Published by Eric Rezsnyak on Feb 13, 2007
In general, "all-star" seasons for reality shows suck. As seen on Survivor, the contestants are typically so changed by their previous experiences that there's almost nothing "real" left, just blatant posturing for the camera. But there may be an exception in "The Amazing Race," CBS' reality show that pits 11 teams of two in a race around the globe for $1 million. The 11th season, which premieres Sunday, February 18, at 8 p.m., features teams from previous seasons picked to run the grueling gauntlet again. This is a kick-ass idea.
There are some obvious picks --- Season 1 "villains" Team Guido, Season 5 cousins Charla & Mirna, Season 7/"Survivor" couple Rob & Amber --- and the welcome return of some underdogs, like Season 1 hams Kevin & Drew, adorable Season 3 couple Jon Vito & Jill, and Season 2's delightful Team Cha-Cha-Cha. Season 7's Uchenna & Joyce are the only winners to return. If I had to guess, the first team to go will either be Season 10 sweethearts David & Mary or the only new team, Eric & Danielle (an amalgam of Season 9's hot guy/hot chick teams, but featuring the weakest links from both). Hopefully taking an early powder will be Season 3's AARP couple Teri & Ian (why did they have to pick those jackholes and not my little silver-haired juggernauts Meredith & Gretchen?). And this could provide a shot at redemption for Season 10 beauty queens Dustin & Kandice, who kind of got robbed of a spot in the final three last season.
